LULUCF in the post 2012 regime

Peter Iversen, EU

In-session workshop on means to reach emission reduction targets,

AWG 5.1, Bangkok, 1.-3. 4. 2008

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Characteristics of the LULUCF sector in the EU

There is a large variation in land-use across the EU due to the variation in physical

characteristics and the history of development

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Present day landscapes are diverse and fragmented both in terms of

ownership and function

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Land often has to fulfil a multitude of functions simultaneously such as production, biodiversity, water

protection and recreation

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LULUCF in the future

Demands on land are intensifying and any land-use choice will have consequences for GHG emissions and removals e.g. interlinkages between energy policies (i.e. growth of bio-energy) and sustainable land use policies

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What do we want?

To improve the current KP accounting for LULUCF in order to trigger national policies that will deliver the mitigation potential as part of an overall emission reduction commitment of developed countries

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How?

The review of current accounting rules for the LULUCF sector should seek to provide a basis for further incentives to promote: Emission reductions in the sector, The use of sustainable biomass for energy, The use of wood products and The sustainable use and management of

agricultural and forest land

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Some principles (1)

Accounting for agriculture and forestry should reflect real anthropogenic mitigation action

Simplified and more robust accounting rules

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Some principles (2)

Accounting for emission sources and sinks should promote mitigation opportunities while avoiding possible perverse incentives

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Some principles (3)

The contribution of agriculture and forestry to the climate change policy framework should be considered holistically.

Other economic, social and environmental functions should be taken into account and synergies should be promoted.

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The way forward

The EU is committed to explore options to deal with this sector in line with the principles described above. In particular, the EU is interested in analysing options relating to:

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Issue to be addressed

Coverage, i.e., which land-use activities should be included

Nature of commitments, i.e, the voluntary vs. mandatory nature of accounting for land-use activities

Integration of LULUCF into national Annex 1 commitments and accounting for LULUCF activities

Compatibility with the current system, i.e. smoothing the transition between current Kyoto and future rules

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Thank You!